Bali has a climate that is tropical all year. The average temperature hovers around 30 dg. Celcius, year-around. There are
dry and wet seasons -dry from April to September and wet from October to March- but it can rain at any time of year and even
during the wet season rain is likely to pass quickly. In general May to August are the best months in Bali.

Ananda playing in the Risata pool.

Our visit 2007/2008.

Time/weather Amsterdam

Time/weather
Denpasar - Bali

The name Indonesia has its roots in two Greek words: "Indos" meaning Indian and "Nesos" which
means islands.
It is an appropriate description of the archipelago as there are estimated to be a total of 17,508 islands, of which only
about
6,000 are inhabited, stretching for 5,150 km between the Australian and Asian Continental mainland and dividing the
Pacific and Indian Oceans at the Equator. The islands and people of Indonesia constitute the fourth most populated nation in
the world.
One of those 17,508 islands is the island of the Gods:

BALI, a province
of Indonesia.
The culture of Bali is unique. People say that the Balinese people have reached self-content. The Balinese are proud of
having preserved their unique Hindu culture against the advance of Islam, the dominant religion throughout Indonesia.
This is still reflected in day to day life and can be seen in numerous ceremonies, Balinese festivals and magnificent temples
and palaces. The Balinese are skilled artisans, particulary in woodcarving and in fashioning object of tortoiseshell and of
gold, silver and other metals. The Balinese are noted for their traditional dance, the distinctive music of the gamelan and
for their skills in weaving cloth of gold and silver threads, Songket, as well as for embroidering silk and cotton clothing.
Stone and woodcarvings, traditional and modern paintings and intricately designed jewelery in gold and silver are readily
available in shops and galleries throughout the island.
Each stage of balinese life is marked by a series of ceremonies and rituals known as: Manusa Yadnya. They contribute to the
rich, varied and active life the average Balinese leads. There are ceremonies for every stage of Balinese life but often the
last cremation ceremony is the biggest. A Balinese cremation can be an amazing spectacular, colorful, noisy and exciting
event. See Bali Rituals.

By washing in fire, ash, or holy water can the spirit be cleansed, so it can be reborn as a god.

After a fullmoon ceremony, bringing the Barong back to the village.

BALI ISLAND, the perfect holiday destination.
A good place to stay is Risata

A 4-star resort, ideal situated in South Kuta, within walking distance of shopping malls and lively Kuta.

Bali Resort & Spa.

Preparing the Barong on a fullmoon ceremony
held in Ubud.

Facts of this Bali visit.

Oma with the youngest son Gusdex at the house in Ungasan.

Opa with the oldest son Ananda at the house in Ungasan.

The Gusti family house in Ungasan, South Bali.

Granddad Dewo with Gusdex.

Banjar Bukit - Tampaksiring.

Grandma Putri with Ananda.

Three years ago we were on Bali to celebrate Ogoh-Ogoh the
night before Nyepi,
but this visit we missed the Balinese New Year in March, called "Nyepi".NYEPI IS THE SYMBOLIC BALINESE NEW YEAR WHICH IS CELEBRATED WITH A DAY AND NIGHT IN TOTAL SILENCE AND DARKNESS, NO ONE IS
PERMITTED TO LEAVE THE CONFINES OF THEIR HOME AND USING ELECTRICITY AND ALSO FIRES ARE NOT ALLOWED.
EVEN AIRTRAFFIC COMES TO A STOP AND BALI IS CUT OFF FROM THE OUTSIDE WORLD FOR
A DAY. TOURISTS MUST STAY IN THEIR HOTEL WHICH HAS PERMISSION TO USE A FEW
LIGHTS AT NIGHT.
---------------
Nyepi is celebrated in the month March, the day depends on the Bali Sashi calender.
Days before Nyepi, people start making giant 'monsters' in the Banjar, a local area in their village.
On the evening prior to Nyepi those local communities conduct a vibrant street parade carrying those monsters, called
"Ogoh-Ogoh", through the streets making music and noise to scare off the evil spirits so they will
stay away from the island. Nyepi starts at 6 AM the next morning untill 6 AM the other day.
The day after Nyepi the monsters will be burned, if possible on the beach.

Ogoh-Ogoh parade in Ungasan.

A present of Bali friend Igo, a traditional hat of Rote Island.

The parade, in Ungasan ----> watched by our 'children' Gusdex and Ananda, left.

Ogoh-Ogoh pictures send to us by our Bali-family.

The carriers are tired.
They deserve a nice cool drink
specialy Jusdex sitting in front on a bamboo pole.